Indole derivatives and their use as medicament

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to novel indole derivatives of the general formula 1, to their preparation and to their use as medicaments, in particular for treating tumors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/004,168, filed on Dec. 20, 2007, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/910,140, filed on Jul. 20, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,365,081. This application incorporates by reference the contents of co-pending application Ser. No. 12/004,169, filed on Dec. 20, 2007.

The invention relates to novel indole derivatives of the general formula 1, to their preparation and to their use as medicaments, in particular for treating tumors.

BACKGROUND

Indol-3-yl derivatives having certain 2-, 3-, 4- and 8-quinoline radicals are described in the German application DE 198 14 838.0. However, indol-3-yl derivatives having 5-, 6- or 7-quinoline substituents are neither described nor suggested in this publication.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the invention, novel indole derivatives of the general formula 1

in which

-   R denotes hydrogen; straight-chain or branched (C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by aryl, where the     aryl radical [lacuna] unsubstituted or mono- to penta-[lacuna] by     identical or different substituents from the group consisting of     halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, carboxyl,     (C₁-C₈)-alkoxycarbonyl, preferably tert-butoxycarbonyl,     straight-chain or branched (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which is substituted by     one or more fluorine atoms, preferably trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl,     straight-chain or branched (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, preferably methoxy or     ethoxy; benzyloxy or aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, where the aryl radical may     be unsubstituted or mono- or pentasubstituted by identical or     different substituents from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,     halogen and straight-chain or branched (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is     substituted by one or more fluorine. atoms, preferably.     trifluoromethyl; straight-chain or branched     (C₁-C₆)-alkoy-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl [sic], substituted or unsubstituted     aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyloxycarbonyl, preferably benzyloxycarbonyl,     straight-chain or branched (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxycarbonyl, straight-chain     or branched (C₁-C₆)-alkylcarbonyl, preferably acetyl,     (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, preferably allyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, preferably     ethynyl or propargyl, or straight-chain or branched     cyano-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, preferably cyanomethyl; -   R₁ denotes a saturated, unsaturated or aromatic (C2-C14)-heterocycle     which contains one or more heteroatoms selected from the group     consisting of N, O and S and which may be attached to the amide     nitrogen directly or via a (C1-C6)-alkyl bridge, where the     (C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- [lacuna]     polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the     group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 2-,     4-, 5- or 6-pyrimidinyl radical may in each case be unsubstituted or     mono- to trisubstituted by identical or different substituents from     the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro,     amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,     (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,     (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or     polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,     (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, with the proviso that     R1 does not represent unsubstituted 2- or 4-pyrimidinyl or a     2-pyrimidinyl radical which is mono- or polysubstituted by methyl;     and except for (C1-C6)-alkyl-, halogen-, nitro-, amino- and     (C1-C6)-alkylamino-substituted or unsubstituted 2-, 3-, 4- and     8-quinolyl and 2-, 3- and 4-quinolylmethyl in which the ring carbon     atoms of the pyridylmethyl moiety are unsubstituted or substituted     by (C1-C6)-alkyl, (C1-C6)-alkoxy, nitro, amino and     (C1-C6)-alkoxycarbonylamino; -   R₂ denotes hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or     polysubstituted by halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or     polysubstituted by phenyl, where the phenyl radical may be     unsubstituted or mono- to pentasubstituted by identical or different     substituents from the group consisting of halogen, preferably     chlorine, bromine or iodine, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl,     carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or     polysubstituted by halogen, preferably trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl,     (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, preferably methoxy or ethoxy, phenyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy,     preferably benzyloxy, nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino,     di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, mono-(C₃₋₆)-cycloalkylamino,     di-(C₃₋₆)-cycloalkylamino, (C₁-C₆)-acylamino,     phenyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, arylcarbonylamino,     heteroarylcarbonylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkylsulfonamido, arylsulfonamido,     maleinimido, succinimido, phthalimido, benzyloxycarbonylamino     (Z-amino), tert-butoxycarbonylamino (BOC-amino),     9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonylamino (Fmoc-amino), triphenylmethylamino     (Tr-amino), 2-(4′-pyridyl)-ethoxycarbonylamino (Pyoc-amino),     diphenylmethylsilylamino (DPMS-amino), by —NH—CH₂—COOH,     —NH—CH(CH₃)—COOH; (CH₃)₂CH—CH₂—CH₂—CH(NH—)—COOH;     H₃C—CH₂—CH(CH₃)—CH(NH—)—COOH;     -   HOH₂C—CH(NH—)—COOH; phenyl-CH₂—CH(NH—)—COOH;         (4-imidazolyl)-CH₂—CH(NH—)—COOH;         HN═C(NH₂)—NH—(CH₂)₃—CH(NH—)—COOH; H₂N—(CH₂)₄—CH(NH—)—COOH;     -   H₂N—CO—CH₂—CH(NH—)—COOH; HOOC—(CH₂)₂—CH(NH—)—COOH;     -   a 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- and 8-quinolyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical,         where the 2-, 3-, 4-, 5, -, [sic] 6-, 7- and 8-quinolyl radical         may be unsubstituted or mono- to hexasubstituted by identical or         different substituents from the group consisting of halogen,         (C₁-C₄)-alkyl or (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy;     -   a 2-, 3- and 4-pyridyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the 2-, 3-         and 4-pyridyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- to         tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl and (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy;     -   an arylcarbonyl radical, where the aryl radical may be         unsubstituted or mono- to pentasubstituted by identical or         different substituents from the group consisting of halogen,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, carboxyl, cyano,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine atoms preferably trifluoromethyl,         hydroxyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy preferably methoxy or ethoxy,         aryl-(C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, preferably benzyloxy; -   R₃ and R₄ may be attached to the indole carbon atoms C-2, C4, C-5,     C6 or C-7 and independently of one another denote hydrogen,     hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylcarbonyl,     (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halogen, aryl-(C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, preferably benzyloxy,     nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₄)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₄)-alkylamino,     (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino,     (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, cyano, straight-chain or     branched cyano-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, carboxyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl,     (C₁-C₄)-alkyl which is substituted by one or more fluorine atoms,     preferably trifluoromethyl group, carboxy-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl or     (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl; -   Z₁ denotes oxygen or sulfur or geminally attached hydrogen and     hydroxyl; -   Z₂ denotes oxygen or sulfur,     -   their tautomers, stereoisomers, including the diastereomers and         enantiomers, and the physiologically acceptable salts thereof,         are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows graphs of in vitro cytotoxicity of D-69429 in tumor cell lines for 8 substance concentrations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Thus, for example, the compounds of the general formula (1) according to the invention which have one. or more centers of chirality and which are present as racemates can be separated by methods known per se into their optical isomers, i.e. enantiomers or diastereomers. The separation can be carried out by column separation on chiral phases or by recrystallization from an optically active solvent or using an optically active acid or base or by derivatization with an optically active reagent, such as, for example, an optically active alcohol, and subsequent removal of the radical.

Furthermore, the indole derivatives of the formula (1) according to the invention can be converted into their salts with inorganic or organic acids, in particular, for pharmaceutical use, into their physiologically acceptable salts. Acids which are suitable for this purpose are, for example, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, embonic acid, malonic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, trifluoroacetic acid, methanesulfonic acid, sulfoacetic acid or maleic acid.

Moreover, the compounds of the formula (1) according to the invention can, if they contain a sufficiently acidic group, such as a carboxyl group, be converted, if desired, into their salts with inorganic or organic bases, in particular, for pharmaceutical use, into their physiologically acceptable salts. Bases which are suitable for this purpose are, for example, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, lysine, cyclohexylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine.

According to a preferred embodiment, indole derivatives of the general formula (1) above are provided in which R, R2, R3, R4, Z1 and Z2 have the meanings given above and

-   R₁ denotes a 2-, 4-, 5- or 6-pyrimidinyl radical or 2-, 4-, 5- or     6-pyrimidinyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical, where the (C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical     may be unsubstituted or mono-[lacuna] polysubstituted by identical     or different substituents from the group consisting of     (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 2-, 4-, 5- or     6-pyrimidinyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- to     trisubstituted by identical or different substituents from the group     consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino,     mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,     (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,     (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or     polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,     (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl, or (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, with the proviso that     R1 does not represent unsubstituted 2- or 4-pyrimidinyl or a     2-pyrimidinyl radical which is mono- or polysubstituted by methyl;     -   a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-pyridazinyl radical or 3-, 4-, 5- or         6-pyridazinyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical, where the (C₁-C₄)-alkyl         radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by         identical or different substituents from the group consisting of         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 3-, 4-, 5- or         6-pyridazinyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- to         trisubstituted by. identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro,         amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 2-, 3-, 5- or 6-pyrazinyl radical or 2-, 3-, 5, -[sic] or         6-pyrazinyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical, where the (C₁-C₄)-alkyl         radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by         identical or different substituents from the group consisting of         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 2-, 3-, 5, -[sic] or         6-pyrazinyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- to         trisubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro,         amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-cinnolinyl radical or 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-,         7-, or 8-cinnolinyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical, where the         (C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the         3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-cinnolinyl radical may be unsubstituted         or mono- to pentasubstituted by identical or different         substituents from the group consisting of hydrogen,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino,         di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy,         carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by fluorine,         preferably trifluoromethyl, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 2-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8quinazolinyl radical or 2-, 4-, 5-, 6-,         7- or 8-quinazolinyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical, where the         (C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo         (═O) and the or [sic] 2-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinazolinyl         radical may be unsubstituted or mono- to pentasubstituted by         identical or different substituents from the group consisting of         hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino,         mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 2-, 3-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinoxalinyl radical or 2-, 3-, 5-,         6-, 7- or 8-quinoxalinyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical, where the         (C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the         or [sic] 2-, 3-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinoxalinyl radical may be         unsubstituted or mono- to pentasubstituted by identical or         different substituents from the group consisting of hydrogen,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino,         di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy,         carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by fluorine,         preferably trifluoromethyl, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 1-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-phthalazinyl radical or 1-, 4-, 5-,         6-, 7- or 8-phthalazinyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical, where the         (C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the         or [sic] 1-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-phthalazinyl radical may be         unsubstituted or mono- to pentasubstituted. by identical or         different substituents from the group consisting of hydrogen,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino,         di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy,         carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by fluorine,         preferably trifluoromethyl, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinolyl radical or 2-, 3-, 4-,         5-, 6-, 7 or 8-quinolyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical, where the         (C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the         2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinolyl radical may be         unsubstituted or mono- to hexasubstituted by identical or         different substituents from the group consisting of hydrogen,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, preferably methyl, particularly preferably         2-methyl, halogen, nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino,         N,N-di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy,         (C6-C14)-aryl-(C1-C6)-alkyoxy [sic], preferably benzyloxy,         carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by halogen,         preferably trifluoromethyl, (C₆-C₁₄)-aryl and         (C₆-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, except for (C1-C6)-alkyl-,         halogen-, nitro-, amino- and (C1-C6)-alkylamino-substituted or         unsubstituted 2-, 3-, 4- and 8-quinolyl and 2-, 3- and         4-quinolylmethyl in which the ring carbon atoms of the         pyridylmethyl moiety are unsubstituted or substituted by         (C1-C6)-alkyl, (C1-C6)-alkoxy, nitro, amino and         (C1-C6)-alkoxycarbonylamino;     -   a 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-isoquinolyl radical or 1-, 3-, 4-,         5-, 6-, 7- or 8-isoquinolyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical, where the         (C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the         1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-isoquinolyl radical may be         unsubstituted or mono- to hexasubstituted by identical or         different substituents from the group consisting of hydrogen,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₈)-alkylamino,         di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy,         carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by fluorine,         preferably trifluoromethyl, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 2-, 6-, 8- or 9-[9H]-purinyl radical or 2-, 6-, 8- or         9-[9H]-purinyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical, where the (C₁-C₄)-alkyl         radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by         identical or different substituents from the group consisting of         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 2-, 6-, 8- or         9-[9H]-purinyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- to         trisubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro,         amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 2-, 6-, 7- or 8-[7H]-purinyl radical or 2-, 6-, 7- or         8-[7H]-purinyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical, where the (C₁-C₄)-alkyl         radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by         identical or different substituents from the group consisting of         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 2-, 6-, 7- or         8-[7]-purinyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- to         trisubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro,         amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-acridinyl radical or 1-,         2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-acridinyl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl radical,         where the (C₁-C6)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the         1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-acridinyl radical may be         unsubstituted or mono- to octasubstituted by identical or         different substituents from the group consisting of hydrogen,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino,         di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy,         carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by fluorine,         preferably trifluoromethyl, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-phenanthridinyl radical         or 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9- or         10-phenanthridinyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo         (═O) and the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or         10-phenanthridinyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- to         octasubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino,         mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, preferably         benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 2-, 3-, 4-, 5, -[sic] or 6-pyridyl radical where the 2-, 3-,         4-, 5, -[sic] or 6-pyridyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono-         to tetrasubstituted by identical or different substituents from         the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro,         amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, with the proviso         that Z₁, Z₂, R₂, R₃ and R₄ have the meaning given above or         below, without any limitations, and R represents         (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, preferably allyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, preferably         ethynyl or propargyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, or         straight-chain or branched cyano-C₁-C₆)-alkyl, preferably         cyanomethyl, or with the proviso that Z₂, R, R₂, R₃ and R₄ have         the meanings described above or below, without any limitations,         and Z₁ denotes geminally attached hydrogen and hydroxyl;     -   a 2-, 3-, 4-, 5, -[sic] or 6-pyridyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical,         where the (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the         2-, 3-, 4-, 5, -[sic] or 6-pyridyl radical may be unsubstituted         or mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different         substituents from the group consisting of hydrogen,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino,         di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy,         carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by fluorine,         preferably trifluoromethyl, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 2-, 3-, 4, -[sic] or 5-thienyl radical or 2-, 3-, 4, -[sic] or         5-thienyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical         may be unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by identical or         different substituents from the group consisting of         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 2-, 3-, 4, -[sic] or         5-thienyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- to         trisubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro,         amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₆)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 2-, 4-, or 5-thiazolyl radical or 2-, 4-, or         5-thiazolyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the (C₁-C₆)-alkyl         radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by         identical or different substituents from the group consisting of         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 2-, 4-, or         5-thiazolyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         disubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro,         amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 3-, 4-, or 5-isothiazolyl radical or 3-, 4- or         5-isothiazolyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the (C₁-C₆)-alkyl         radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by         identical or different substituents from the group consisting of         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 3-, 4- or         5-isothiazolyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         disubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro,         amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 2-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzothiazolyl radical or 2-, 4-, 5-, 6-         or 7-benzothiazolyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the         2-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzothiazolyl radical may be unsubstituted         or mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical or different         substituents from the group consisting of hydrogen,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino,         di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy,         carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by fluorine,         preferably trifluoromethyl, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 1-, 2-, 4- or 5-imidazolyl radical or 1-, 2-, 4- or         5-imidazolyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the (C₁-C₆)-alkyl         radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by         identical or different substituents from the group consisting of         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 1-, 2-, 4- or         5-imidazolyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- to         trisubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro,         amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 1-, 3-, 4- or 5-pyrazolyl radical or 1-, 3-, 4- or         5-pyrazolyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the (C₁-C₆)-alkyl         radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by         identical or different substituents from the group consisting of         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 1-, 3-, 4- or         5-pyrazolyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- to         trisubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro,         amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 1-, 2, -[sic] 3,-[sic] 4, -[sic] or 5-pyrrolyl radical or 1-,         2, -[sic] 3, -[sic] 4, -[sic] or 5-pyrrolyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl         radical, where the (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or         mono- or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents         from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O)         and the 1-, 2, -[sic] 3, -[sic] 4, -[sic] or 5-pyrrolyl radical         may be unsubstituted or mono- to tetrasubstituted by identical         or different substituents from the group consisting of hydrogen,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino,         di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy,         carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by fluorine,         preferably trifluoromethyl, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 1-, 3-, or 5-[1.2.4]-triazolyl radical or 1-, 3- or         5-[1.2.4]-triazolyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo         (—O) and the 1-, 3- or 5-[1.2.4]-triazolyl radical may be         unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by identical or         different substituents from the group consisting of         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino,         di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy,         carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by fluorine,         preferably trifluoromethyl, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 1-, 4- or 5-[1.2.3]-triazolyl radical or 1-, 4- or         5-[1.2.3]-triazolyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the         1-, 4- or 5-[1.2.3]-triazolyl radical may be unsubstituted or         mono- or disubstituted by identical or different substituents         from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen,         nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino,         hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by fluorine,         preferably trifluoromethyl, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 1- or 5-[1H]-tetrazolyl radical or 1- or         5-[1H]-tetrazolyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the (C₁-C₆)-alkyl         radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by         identical or different substituents from the group consisting of         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 1- or         5-[1H]-tetrazolyl radical may be unsubstituted or substituted by         hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino,         mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₈-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 2- or 5-[2H]-tetrazolyl radical or 2- or         5-[2H]-tetrazolyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the (C₁-C₆)-alkyl         radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by         identical or different substituents from the group consisting of         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 2- or         5-[2H]-tetrazolyl radical may be unsubstituted or substituted by         hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino,         mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 2-, 4- or 6-[1.3.5]-triazinyl radical or 2-, 4- or         6-[1.3.5]-triazinyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen,(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O)         and the 2-, 4- or 6-[1.3.5]-triazinyl radical may be         unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by identical or         different substituents from the group consisting of hydrogen,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino,         di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy,         carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by fluorine,         preferably trifluoromethyl, (C₁-C₁₀)-aryl and         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 2-, 4- or 5-oxazolyl radical or 2-, 4- or         5-oxazolyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the (C₁-C₆)-alkyl         radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by         identical or different substituents from the group consisting of         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 2-, 4-, or         5-oxazolyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         disubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro,         amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 3-, 4- or 5-isoxazolyl radical or 3-, 4- or         5-isoxazolyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the (C₁-C₆)-alkyl         radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by         identical or different substituents from the group consisting of         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the 3-, 4- or         5-isoxazolyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         disubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro,         amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy, carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or         polysubstituted by fluorine, preferably trifluoromethyl,         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl;     -   a 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-indolyl radical or 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-,         5-, 6- or 7-indolyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical, where the         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- or         polysubstituted by identical or different substituents from the         group consisting of (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen and oxo (═O) and the         1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-indolyl radical may be unsubstituted         or mono- to hexasubstituted by identical or different         substituents from the group consisting of hydrogen,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino,         di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, benzyloxy,         carboxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino or         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by fluorine,         preferably trifluoromethyl, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and         (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, and also the isomers, in particular         tautomers, diastereomers and enantiomers, and the         pharmaceutically acceptable salts, in particular acid addition         salts, thereof [lacuna].

According to a further embodiment, indole derivatives of the general formula (1) are provided which are characterized in that R, R2, R3, R4, Z1 and Z2 have the meanings described above and R₁ represents quinolyl which is mono- or a polysubstituted by straight-chain or branched (C₁-C₆-alkyl) or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy.

According to a further embodiment, indole derivatives of the general formula (1) are provided which are characterized in that R, R2, R3, R4, Z1 and Z2 have the meanings described above and R₁ represents 2-methyl-6-quinolyl.

According to a further embodiment, indole derivatives of the general formula (1) are provided which are characterized in that R, R2, R3, R4, Z1 and Z2 have the meanings described above and R₁ denotes (2-methyl)-6-quinolyl, R₂ denotes 4-chlorobenzyl, R₃ and R₄ each denote hydrogen and Z₁ and Z₂ each denote oxygen.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a process for preparing indole derivatives of the general formula (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5 is [lacuna] which is characterized in that an indole precursor of the general formula (2)

in which R2, R3 and R4 have the meanings mentioned above is reacted with a compound of the general formula (3)

in which Z1 and Z2 have the meaning mentioned above and Y1 and Y2independently of one another represent a suitable leaving group, such as halogen, (C1-C6)-alkoxy, —O-tosyl, —O-mesyl or —N1-imidazole, and then with an amine of the general formula (4) or (5)

in which R and R1 have the meanings mentioned above, giving the desired indole derivative of the general formula (1) (with amine 4) or the compound of the general formula (6) (with amine 5)

in which R1, R2, R3, R4, Z1 and Z2 have the meanings mentioned above, using, if appropriate, diluents and auxiliaries, where the compound of the general formula (6) may subsequently be reacted with a compound of the general formula (7) R—Y3  (7) in which R has the meaning mentioned above and Y₃ represents a suitable electrophilic leaving group, such as halogen, (C1-C6)-alkoxy, —O-tosyl, —O-mesyl or —N1-imidazole, giving the desired compound (1), where R does not denote hydrogen, using, if appropriate, diluents and auxiliaries. Synthesis Routes:

The compounds of the general formula 1 can be obtained according to Scheme 1 below:

Furthermore, the compounds of the general formula 1 can also be obtained by the synthesis route of Scheme 2:

The compounds of the general formula 1 in which R=methyl, benzyl, propargyl or cyanomethyl and R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ have the meanings given for the general formula 1 can also be prepared according to the synthesis route of Scheme 3:

The starting materials (2), (3) and (4) are either commercially available or can be prepared by procedures known per se. The starting materials (2), (3) and (4) are useful intermediates for preparing the indole derivatives of the formula (1) according to the invention.

For the preparation of starting materials and target compounds, reference may be made, for example, to the following standard works of organic synthesis, the content of which is hereby explicitly included into the disclosure of the present application:

-   1) Houben-Weyl, Volume E 7a (part 1) pp. 290-492, pp. 571-740     Houben-Weyl, Volume E 7a (part 2) pp. 119-156, pp. 205-686, pp.     157-204 -   2) Monograph “Heterocyclic Compounds” (Elderfield),     -   Volume 1, pp. 119-207, pp. 397-616     -   Volume 3, pp. 1-274     -   Volume 6, pp. 101-135, pp. 234-323 -   3) Monograph “Comprehensive Organic Chemistry” (S. D. Barton, W. D.     Ollis)     -   Volume 4, pp. 155-204, pp. 205-232, pp. 493-564

The solvents and auxiliaries to be used, if appropriate, and the reaction parameters to be used, such as reaction temperature and reaction time, are known to the person skilled in the art owing to his expert knowledge.

The indole derivatives of the general formula (1) according to the invention are suitable as medicaments, in particular as antitumor agents, for treating mammals, in particular man, but also domestic animals such as horses, cattle, dogs, cats, hares, sheep, poultry and the like.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for controlling tumors in mammals, in particular man, is provided which is characterized in that at least one indole derivative of the general formula (1) is administered to a mammal in an amount effective for the treatment of the tumor. The therapeutically effective dose of the indole derivative according to the invention in question which is to be administered for the treatment depends inter alia on the nature and the stage of the oncosis, the age and the sex of the patient, the type of administration and the duration of the treatment. Administration can take place orally, rectally, buccally (for example sublingually), parenterally (for example subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intradermally or intravenously), topically or transdermally.

According to a further aspect of the invention, medicaments for the treatment of tumors are provided which are characterized in that they comprise, as active ingredient, at least one indole derivative according to any of claims 1 to 5 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, if appropriate together with customary pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliaries, additives and carriers. These can be solid, semisolid, liquid or aerosol preparations. Suitable solid preparations are, for example, capsules, powders, granules, tablets. Suitable semisolid preparations are, for example, ointments, creams, gels, pastes, suspensions, oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions. Suitable liquid preparations are, for example, sterile aqueous preparations for parenteral administration which are isotonic with the blood of the patient.

The invention is to be illustrated in more detail by the example below, without being restricted to the example.

WORKING EXAMPLES Example 1 Reaction According to Scheme 1, 1. Step Preparation of 1-(4-chlorobenzyl)indole

A solution of 5.86 g (0.05 mol) of indole in 25 ml of DMSO is added to a mixture of 1.32 g of sodium hydroxide (0.055 mol, suspension in mineral oil) in 50 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide. The mixture is heated at 60° C. for 1.3 hours and then allowed to cool, and 17.7 g (0.11 mol) of 4-chlorobenzyl chloride are added dropwise. The solution is heated at 60° C., allowed to stand overnight and then poured with stirring into 200 ml of water. The mixture is extracted repeatedly with a total of 75 ml of CH₂Cl₂, the organic phase is dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and filtered and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure.

Yield: 11.5 g (95% of theory)

Example 2 Reaction According to the 2. Step of Scheme 1) Preparation of N-(2-methyl-6-quinolyl)-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)indole-3-yl]glyoxylamide (D69429)

At 0° C. and under nitrogen, a solution of 10.2 g (42.2.mmol) of 1-(4-chlorobenzyl)indole in 50 ml of ether is added dropwise to a solution of 5.50 ml of oxalyl chloride in 50 ml of ether. The mixture is heated at reflux for 2 hours and the solvent is then evaporated. 100 ml of tetrahydrofuran were then added to the residue and the solution was cooled to −4° C. and treated dropwise with a solution of 15.66 g (99.0 mmol) of 6-amino-2-methylquinoline in 350 ml of THF. The mixture is heated at reflux for 4 hours and allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The 6-amino-2-methylquinoline hydrochloride is filtered off with suction, the precipitate is washed with THF, the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue is recrystallized from methyl ethyl ketone/methylene chloride.

Yield: 14.8 g (77.3% of theory)

Melting point: 182-185° C.

Synthesis of the Hydrochloride:

To a mixture of 0.453 g (1 mMol) N-(2-Methyl-6-quinolyl)-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-indol-3-yl]-glyoxylic acid amide in 20 ml hot ethanol is added under stirring the equivalent quantity of isopropanolic hydrochloric acid. The suspension is heated to 70-80° C. and the formed solution is evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The evaporating process is repeated several times with toluene to give the colorless and crystalline hydrochloride.

Yield: 0.49 g (100% of the theoretical)

Mp.: 196° C.

Synthesis of the Methansulfonate:

A mixture of 0.453 g (1 mMol) N-(2-Methyl-6-quinolyl)-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-indol-3-yl]-glyoxylic acid amide and 0.67 ml Methanesulfonic acid in 15 ml Dichloromethan is heated to 50° C. for 30 minutes. The so formed solution is concentrated und reduced pressure at 35° C. to dryness. The residue is evaporated several times with methyl-tert.-butylether, dried in the vacuo at 35° C. to provide the methansulfonate as white crystals.

Yield: 0.46 g (84% of the theoretical)

Mp.: >230° C.

Example 3 Reaction According to Scheme 3 Preparation of N-propargyl-N-(2-methyl-6-quinolyl)-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)indol-3-yl]glyoxylamide

At room temperature and under nitrogen, a suspension of 2.32 g (5.13 mmol) of N-(2-methyl-6-quinolyl))-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)indol-3-yl]glyoxylamide in 20 ml of DMF is added to a suspension of 0.154 g of sodium hydride (5.13 mmol, suspension in mineral oil) in 10 ml of DMF. This resulted in strong foaming, with the mixture turning yellow. A solution of 0.382 g (5.13 mmol) of propargyl chloride in 10 ml of DMF is added dropwise, and the mixture is, under nitrogen gas, stirred at room temperature for 24 hours and allowed to stand at room temperature for 4 days. The dark-brown solution is then poured into 120 ml of ice water and extracted in portions with 250 ml of methylene chloride, and the combined organic phases are dried using anhydrous sodium sulfate. The extract is concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue is purified using a silica gel column (silica gel 60, from Merck AG, Darmstadt, Germany) and the mobile phase methylene chloride/ethanol (97:3, v/v).

Yield: 1.98 g (78.6% of theory)

Mass spectrum: m/e=491.9 (M⁺)

Biological Tests

1. Antiproliferative Action in Various Tumor Cell Lines

In a proliferation test, the antiproliferative activity of the substance D-69429 was examined using established tumor cell lines. In the test used, the cellular dehydrogenation activity is determined, which makes it possible to determine the vitality of the cell and, indirectly, the cell count. The cell lines used are the human cervical carcinoma cell line KB/HeLa (ATCC CCL17), the murine lymphocyte a leukaemia L1210 (ATCC CCL-219), the human breast adenocarcinoma line MCF7 (ATCC HTB22) and the ovary adenocarcinoma line SKOV-3 (ATCC HTB77). These are established cell lines which are very well characterized and were obtained from ATCC and cultured.

The results shown in Tab. 1 of FIG. 1 demonstrate the highly potent antiproliferative action of D-69429 in the cell lines SKOV-3, L-1210 and HeLa/KB for eight (8) substance concentrations. Owing to the particularly slow growth of the MCF7 line, the effect of D-69429 in the test period of 48 h is only small (18% inhibition at 3.16 μg/ml; thus stated as >3.16).

2. Method

XTT Test for Cellular Dehydrogenase Activity

The adherently growing tumor cell lines HeLa/KB, SKOV-3 and MCF7 and the L1210 leukaemia line, which grows in suspension, were cultivated under standard conditions in an incubator with gas inlet at 37° C., 5% CO₂ and 95% atmospheric humidity. On Test Day 1, the adherent cells are detached using trypsin/EDTA and pelleted by centrifugation. The cell pellet is then resuspended in the RPMI culture medium at the appropriate cell count and transferred to a 96-well microtiter plate.

The plates are then cultivated overnight in the incubator with gas inlet. The test substances are made up as stock solutions in DMSO and, on Test Day 2, diluted with culture medium to the corresponding concentrations. The substances in the culture medium are then added to the cells and incubated in the incubator with gas inlet for 45 h. Cells which have, not been treated with test substance serve as control.

For the XTT assay, 1 mg/ml of XTT (sodium 3′-[1-(phenylaminocarbonyl)-3,4-tetrazolium]-bis(4-methoxy-6-nitro)benzenesulfonic acid) is dissolved in RPMI-1640 medium without Phenol Red. Additionally, a 0.383 mg/ml solution of PMS (N-methyldibenzopyrazine methyl sulfate) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) is prepared. On Test Day 4, 75 μl/well of the XTT-PMS mixture are pipetted onto the cell plates, which by now have been incubated with the test substances for 45 h. To this end, the XTT solution is mixed with the PMS solution in a ratio of 50:1 (v/v) shortly before use. The cell plates are then incubated in the incubator with gas inlet for a further 3 h, and the optical density (OD_(490nm)) is determined in a photometer.

Using the OD_(490nm) obtained, the inhibition in percent relative to the control is calculated. The antiproliferative activity is estimated using regression analysis.

Example I

Tablet containing 50 mg of active compound

Composition:

(1) Active compound 50.0 mg (2) Lactose 98.0 mg (3) Maize starch 50.0 mg (4) Polyvinylpyrrolidone 15.0 mg (5) Magnesium stearate 2.0 mg Total: 215.0 mg Preparation:

(1), (2) and (3) are mixed and granulated with an aqueous solution of (4). The dried granules are admixed with (5). This mixture is tabletted.

Example II

Capsule containing 50 mg of active compound

Composition:

(1) Active compound 50.0 mg (2) Maize starch, dried 58.0 mg (3) Lactose powder 50.0 mg (4) Magnesium stearate 2.0 mg Total: 160.0 mg Preparation:

(1) is ground with (3): This ground material is added with vigorous mixing to the mixture of (2) and (4). This powder mixture is, on a capsule filling machine, filled into hard gelatine capsules size 3. 

1. Indole compounds of the general Formula 1

in which R denotes hydrogen, straight-chain (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or branched (C₁-C₆)-alkyl; R₁ denotes a 5-quinolyl, 6-quinolyl or 7-quinolyl group bonded to the amide nitrogen directly: R₂ denotes hydrogen-o₂(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is mono- or polysubstituted by phenyl, where the phenyl radical may be unsubstituted or mono- to pentasubstituted by identical or different substituents from the group consisting of halogen, preferably chlorine, bromine or iodine; R₃ and R₄ may be attached to the indole carbon atoms C-2, C-4, C5, C-6 or C-7 and independently of one another denote hydrogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylcarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halogen, aryl-(C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, nitro, amino, mono-(C₁-C₄)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₄)-alkylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, cyano, straight-chain or branched cyano-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, carboxyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl which is substituted by one or more fluorine atoms, carboxy-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl; Z₁ denotes oxygen or sulfur; Z₂ denotes oxygen or sulfur.
 2. Indol compound according to claim 1 characterized in that R, R₁, R₂, Z₁ and Z₂ have the meanings described above and R₃ and R₄ each denote hydrogen.
 3. Indole compound as in claim 1, characterized in that R, R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ have the meanings described above and Z₁ and Z₂ each denote oxygen.
 4. Indole compound as in claim 2, characterized in that R, R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ have the meanings described above and Z₁ and Z₂ each denote oxygen.
 5. Indole compound as in any of claims 1, 3 and 4, characterized in that R, R₁, R₃, R₄, Z₁ and Z₂ have the meanings described above and R₂ denotes chlorobenzyl.
 6. Indole compound as in any of claims 1, 3 and 4, characterized in that R, R₂, R₃, R₄, Z₁ and Z₂ have the meanings described above and R₁ denotes 6-quinolinyl.
 7. Indole compound according to claim 1 characterized in that R denotes hydrogen, R₁ denotes 6-quinolinyl, R₂ denotes chlorobenzyl, R₃ and R₄ each denote hydrogen and Z₁ and Z₂ each denote oxygen.
 8. Process for preparing indole compounds of the general formula (1) as in any of claims 1, 3, 7 and 4, characterized in that an indole precursor of the general formula (2)

in which R₂, R₃ and R₄ have the meanings mentioned above is reacted with a compound of the general formula (3)

in which Z₁ and Z₂ have the meaning mentioned above and Y₁ and Y₂ independently of one another represent a suitable leaving group, such as halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, —O-tosyl, —O-mesyl or —N1-imidazole, and then with an amine of the general formula (4) or (5)

in which R and R₁ have the meanings mentioned above, giving the desired compound of the general formula (1)(with amine 4) or the compound of the general formula (6)(with amine 5)

in which R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, Z₁ and Z₂ have the meanings mentioned above, using, if appropriate, diluents and auxiliaries, where the compound of the general formula (6) may subsequently be reacted with a compound of the general formula (7) R—Y₃  (7) in which R has the meaning mentioned above and Y₃ represents a suitable electrophilic leaving group, such as halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, —O-tosyl, —O-mesyl or N1-imidazole, giving the desired compound (1), where R does not denote hydrogen, using, if appropriate, diluents and auxiliaries.
 9. Method for treating tumors in mammals, characterized in that at least one indole compound of the general formula (1) as in any of claims 1, 3, 7 and 4, is administered to the mammal in a dose effective for tumor treatment.
 10. Medicament, characterized in that it comprises, as active ingredient, at least one indole compound of the general formula (1) as in any of claims 1, 3, 7 and 4, if appropriate together with customary pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliaries, additives and carriers.
 11. Indole compound as in any of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, Z₁ and Z₂ have the meanings described above and R denotes hydrogen. 